Politics and jobs may come and go, but our environment is here forever. What good will jobs be when the natural world becomes so disrupted that it no longer functions as we know it today.
I chose these groups to support.
Most people do not have the time to lobby, study, fund, and fix our environmental problems. By yourself, your tiny little voice will get lost and misplaced. But when we form massive groups, we can flex enough muscle to fix virtually anything!
Everyone who loves the environment should support three environmental organizations -- one world-wide, one nation-wide, and one local one. We cannot join them all, so you must pick and choose your battles.
I have personally chosen two battles: stop shark finning and save leatherback turtles.
For shark finning, I support http://www.sharktrust.org, an effective UK group.
For two good world-wide organizations try www.wildaid.org (providing programs to fight for sharks, tigers, elephants, rhinos, marine protection and climate), or World Wildlife Fund in the US (AKA World Wide Fund for animals and habitat protection programs in almost 70 countries) -- www.wwf.org. By supporting a world-wide organization, you can help with issues that cross boundaries.
I am considering supporting oceana.org. Their web site has more than just a little beach clean-up or just trying to "spread the word" about conservation. These guys are big and have a lot of projects that are specific and valuable.
For a terrific, all-around US organization, nothing beats Natural Resources Defense Council www.nrdc.org. They combine lobbying with scientific research and find solutions that are good for both the environment and often good for businesses. They have been voted by the US congress as the best informed and most effective environmental lobby group. They have wonderful on-line communications to help you sign petitions, and direct your donations. They cover all aspects of environmental concern from habitat, air pollution, endangered species and more. I especially like the way that they prioritize habitats with their "BioGems" program -- www.savebiogems.org.
Finding your favorite local group should be easy, and if you don't have one, start one.
For specific animals such as the leatherback turtles, look for groups that have an effective program on the ground. That is better than just a big web site. Look at saveourleatherbacks.org and see the incredible work that this tiny organization has done to physically and actually SAVE leatherback turtles. Almost single handedly, Larry McKenna has lobbied the UN, Japan and else where to stop long-lining for tuna in the Pacific to reduce loss of turtles. He has not won this battle at all, but he pays local residents in Indonesia to protect their eggs from feral pigs. He moves egg nests to safer ground and has watched the improvement of successful hatchings. This is a fund worth contributing to if you really love turtles.
If you have a favorite animal, then you should get on line and support them through an effective organization. Pick just one or two so that you are not spread out too thin, and just DO IT!! Then the next time you wish you could see a whale shark, or a seahorse, you will know in your heart that you have personally
updated: August 23, 2012